Home » Councils

Local Actions

HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAN LEAD THE TRANSITION TO EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY
… and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the source

Printable version

1. Service Provider Role

  • Focus on organics recycling -- especially food.
  • Collect good product management cost data.
    • Characterize MSW by brand rather than material type
  • Restructure funding mechanisms away from public to private systems.
 

2. Regulator Role

  • Adopt a local EPR resolution.
    • “We’re asking producers to take more responsibility”
  • Mandate separation of organics from product waste
  • Local landfill bans
    • “If it can be recycled, it doesn’t belong in the landfill”
  • Support local private infrastructure
    • Zone for recycling and include take-back in green business certification
  • Integrate EPR into solid waste and sustainability plans and policies
 

3. Facilitator Role

  • Develop partnerships and pilots.
    • Example: Washington Take It Back Network paved way for e-waste legislation
  • Support voluntary private sector take-back infrastructure, including retail take-back, as a transitional step to producer responsibility.
  • Put EPR into local Climate Action Plans
 

4. Educator Role

  • Promote private collection infrastructure.
  • Educate the public on the climate impacts of consumption.
 

5. Consumer Role

  • Put take-back in purchasing contracts
 

6. Advocate Role

  • Join or start a statewide Product Stewardship Council to speak with a unified voice
  • Advocate for statewide legislation
     

Resources